Hoosiers swing and miss

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Not after last season’s mountainous climb to a bowl game.

As speedy as the IU football program spiked in 2007, it’s plummeted even faster in 2008.  

We lamented on how scrawny, how spare, how sub-par the Hoosiers’ non-conference schedule is. And, while skeptics said early wins were a must, IU’s three straight conference losses proved their theory correct.

Michigan State was strike one.

Minnesota, strike two.

Iowa, strike three. The Hoosiers are out.

No need to eat, sleep and dream postseason play for one second longer.

IU might not be mathematically eliminated from contention, but it’s safe to admit the Purdue game will be its last in 2008.

If the Hoosiers (2-4, 0-3) struggled throughout the first half of their schedule, the final six games will be anything but a photo finish.  

In fact, IU’s second half opponents consist of five bowl teams from 2007 with Northwestern – at 5-1, 1-1 – being the only exception. Saturday’s 45-9 thrashing from Iowa slammed the door shut on the 2008 season for good.

It was an old-school domination where the Hoosiers showed their true colors. For the second consecutive game, the opposition nearly doubled the Hoosiers’ time of possession.

On offense, Iowa pounded away with its core of running backs, setting up bankable passing and rushing touchdowns. The Hoosiers’ debilitated defense made quarterback Ricky Stanzi look like he was a Heisman hopeful.

On the other side of the ball, Iowa only surrendered points on two of 12 Hoosier drives. IU quarterback Kellen Lewis connected with wide receiver Ray Fisher for a touchdown just before halftime, but that was the last accolade on offense.

The Hoosiers’ offensive line didn’t give quarterback Ben Chappell – who relieved Lewis in the second half due to injury – ample time to team up with his receivers.

Even with competing for only a half, Chappell threw for a mere 83 yards.

“We just didn’t make the plays when they were there,” Chappell said. “When you get the first, first down that’s when we get it rolling. But it’s tough when you go three and out.”

The Hoosiers only scored seven points in Minnesota last week and nine at home against Iowa.

In college football, tallying 16 points in two contests is embarrassing. No, it’s pathetic.
Minnesota and Iowa subsided any fantasies of playing 13.

Now, the Hoosiers must play for pride. Just suit up and play for the love of the game, because there’s no such thing as strike four.